Royal Albert Asylum for the care, education, and training of idiotic, imbecile, and weak-minded children and young persons, belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland : thirty-third annual report.

  • Royal Albert Asylum (Lancaster, England)
Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Royal Albert Asylum for the care, education, and training of idiotic, imbecile, and weak-minded children and young persons, belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland : thirty-third annual report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    seventeen more than in the preceeding year. He presided over the annual meetings held in Sheffield in the years 1882 and 1890, and he had attended other meetings held in other towns in the Northern Counties, and he thought the policy of the Committee in holding these annual gatherings at different places had great influence in stimulating the people to increased efforts in support of the Asylum. They were met that day to assist the Institution by their donations and subscrip¬ tions. He believed that the Asylum possessed strong claims upon the sympathy and help of the public; such, indeed, as could not be neglected or put aside. He regretted that the attendance was not larger, and remarked that the trouble His Grace the Mayor had taken to be present and preside had earned their gratitude. The aims and objects of the Asylum were praiseworthy in every respect, and they had the satisfaction of knowing that one feature of our national life was that all people take a great interest in the sufferings of the poor and needy. The ladies connected with the Institution in various parts of the northern district had shown what they could do by united effort. The subscrip¬ tions obtained by them during the last year amounted to £2,370, besides donations to the value of £250. These figures caused one to regret that they did not possess a Ladies’ Committee in Sheffield, and he trusted that some energetic lady would take upon herself the duty of organising a corps of ladies to undertake the raising of funds. What could be of greater benefit to a poor family than by relieving it of an imbecile child ? The Asylum thus conferred a benefit upon the family which few could realise unless they were themselves so situated. In years past imbeciles and idiots were little cared for, but now they were kindly treated and taught to be useful, some, in fact, being made able to partially maintain themselves by the instruction they received at the Institution, and he believed there were some who were capable of entirely supporting themselves. The inmates, after two years’ residence, were allowed to visit their friends, and the reports received from the parents of the children who had been home on these holidays were most interesting. One father wrote: “ I am pleased to find that my son can read and write so nicely. He is well in health, has grown, and looks well nourished. He looks forward with pleasure to returning to the Asylum.” Another wrote: “ My son is better in health than on former occasions, and has improved in his mental abilities.” Another said : “I find my boy improved very much. His habits and appearance testify to the kind treatment he receives.” (Applause.) Those, and numberless other similar letters that could be produced, were sufficient evidence that the Institution was doing a great w7ork amongst those unfortunate children. (Hear, hear.) The Principal, Mr. Diggens, in his report stated that only those were kept at school who were likely to profit by the instruction, and the officials had been so long at the work that they were able to decide what form of treatment should be applied in individual cases. Others were put to useful occupations according to their capacities and abilities. Another instance of the good the Institution was doing was indicated by the entries in the visitors’ book. One entry said : “ Wonderful beyond words. I have seen institutions in every part of the world, but none to beat this.” The Rev. Dr. Muirhead, of the London Missionary Society, said: “I have been very much pleased to visit the Royal Albert Asylum. The whole seems to be in beautiful order, and reflects the highest credit on those in charge, and will be remembered by me when I am far away in China.” (Applause.) Those, continued Sir Frederick, who had visited the Asylum, would bear out that statement. He knew no Institution which was so well managed and conducted as the Royal Albert Asylum. (Applause.)